hospital tour

At our last "Having a Baby" class we were able to take a tour of the maternity ward! The private birthing suits are super nice, very spacious (much larger than our entire apartment), and include anything anyone might need whilst giving birth. We learned that only around 10% of their births happen in the bed. They prefer the use of gravity by either squatting, standing, lunging or using a birthing stool. The room included large mats, bean bags, support bars, etc. to make things as comfortable as possible. Each room also includes as very large bathroom with a walk in shower, bath tub, and water birth station.

When you ring the hospital for a room, you are assigned a midwife who will look after you and facilitate the birth. Doctors are only called in if a C-section needs to take place. When pushing starts a second midwife is called in to assist your assigned midwife. Have I ever mentioned that they do not have nurses here? After baby is born he gets to snuggle mom right away... they clean him up and check him out while mom is holding and bonding with her new little bub. A first feed is also suggested. If baby needs oxygen or a heat lamp they have everything right there in the room, so baby never leaves mom's sight. Mother and baby stay in the birthing suite for up to 4 hours before making the choice to go home or stay a day or two in the recovery rooms. If you choose to go home, a midwife will come to your home and check on you a few times over the next week.

After lots of consideration Tyler and I have decided that a water birth is the best option for me!

1. Because of my rare benign hyper joint mobility syndrome options such as squatting, standing, lunging, etc. are not an option. We tried them in class, and I dislocated faster than stink on a pig.
2. I am aiming for a natural birth and hot water is supposed to be the best "non-medicinal" pain reliever
3. I love being in water... my weekly swim is one of the best parts of my week!
4. I have it available to me... so why not seize the day and go for it!
5. In the past whenever anyone mentioned a water birth I would be totally grossed out... I love nothing more than proving myself wrong by stretching my comfort zone!
6. Even if I dislocate during labor... the water would equalize the pressure making it less of an issue

I am not guaranteed a water birth because not all of the midwives are certified... but when the time comes we will call ahead and put in a request for it!